Beam forming and collection lens assembly for laser scanner system

A lens assembly for a laser instrument of the kind used to detect light reflected from a target which is spaced from the laser instrument, said lens assembly comprising:

• a lens having an optical axis;
• light detector means spaced from said lens;
• first optical means attached to said lens and aligned with said optical axis thereof for receiving a laser light beam being transmitted to said lens at an angle off said optical axis thereof and for reflecting said received laser beam onto said optical axis for transmission through said lens toward the target;
• second optical means formed on said lens at said optical axis and on one side thereof adjacent to said first optical means for receiving said reflected laser beam and expanding the same within said lens as it is transmitted therethrough;
• third optical means formed on said lens at said optical axis and on an opposite side thereof from said second optical means for converging and focussing said expanded laser beam at a substantial distance from said lens as it is transmitted therefrom;
• fourth optical means formed on said lens about said optical axis and on said opposite side thereof and about said third optical means thereon for collecting within said lens the light reflected from the target and transmitting said collected light therethrough;
• and
• fifth optical means formed on said lens about said optical axis and on said one side thereof opposite from said fourth optical means and about said second optical means thereon for imaging said collected light along said optical axis of said lens to said light detector means.